An Excerpt from

THE WYANDOTTE FOWL

by the Editors of the "Poultry Monthly."

Published in 1884 by Ferris Publishing Company

ITS ORIGIN

This breed, not new, but recently admitted to the American Standard, has been the result of the following breeding and circumstances, having had many names and suggestions of names:

It was, without doubt, the intention with the first cross to produce an improved Cochin Bantam, the cross being a Sebright Bantam cock with a Cochin hen.  When the size proved to large they were offered and illustrated as Sebright Cochins.  This suggested the cross of Silver Spangled Hamburgs with Buff Cochins.  These two crosses mingled with another cross with a half-Buder and Cochin hen, became the blood mixture of the early birds offered to the American Poultry Association as American Sebrights.  Their friends could not agree as to the comb being single or double, as it was then expressed, and the name being so suggestive of an American Bantam, the request was refused and the matter referred back to a committee.

About the same time, a cross of a Silver Hamburg with a Dark Brahma hen produced a still more desirable type, having pea combs.  Mr. Kidder, of Northampton, contended earnestly for this characteristic being accepted as the regulation.  But these crosses, while being bred by themselves, presented troublesome features of both feathered and smooth legs, single and rose, also pea and rose combs.    The best birds were called Eurekas.  When these two wings, or original crosses, were brought together, more uniform specimens were produced, the Hamburg blood being in the greater proportion, the combs, in the majority of cases, assumed a more rose appearance, though smaller and closer to the head, the feathers disappeared from the legs, yet the golden color of skin and legs remained.   The males, in color, reverted strongly to the Dark Brahma color, and the females gave evidence of their Hamburg ancestry by presenting a laced plumage.

It was our lot to publish a standard for them under the name of Hambletonians.  This brought the breed into earnest discussion, and gave it a new interest, the name being discussed, and the other names suggested, among which were Columbias, Ambrights, Americans, in addition to those already mentioned.

Thus has the race been before the people for twelve years or more, and for six years has had the attention of poultry fanciers brought in a special manner to its merits.  It was better perfected when accepted by the American Poultry Association than was the Plymouth Rock at the time of its adoption, for it was six years after it was reported back to its committee before its final adoption and admittance into the ?Standard of Excellence? as Wyandottes.

The Struggle has been hard.  Its breeders deserve credit for their fidelity to the race, and the breed is truly one of the practical merit; for as broilers it has no equal, and for small size roasters it is excellent, while its laying qualities are first-class.